Criminal (Will Trent, #6)

Title: Criminal (Will Trent, #6)

Author: Karin Slaughter

Published in: 2012

Date read: 27th April 2024

Score: 5/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Criminal" by Karin Slaughter is a standalone novel that delves into the dark history of the Atlanta Police Department, intertwining a cold case from the past with a fresh investigation in the present, deeply impacting Special Agent Will Trent.

The story opens in 1974, focusing on the brutal murder of a young college student. The initial investigation is handled by two rookie detectives, Amanda Wagner (who will later become Will Trent's boss at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation) and Faith Mitchell's mother, Evelyn Mitchell. They face sexism, corruption, and the entrenched racism of the era as they try to solve the case, navigating a police force where women are undervalued and justice is often skewed. This past narrative paints a vivid picture of Atlanta in the 1970s and the challenges faced by pioneering female officers.

The main contemporary storyline is set in 2012, and features Will Trent who is struggling with his own personal issues and an ongoing investigation into a human trafficking ring. His life takes an unexpected and deeply personal turn when his girlfriend, Sara Linton, uncovers a hidden file in his deceased Uncle Pete's belongings. This file contains old, disturbing photos and information about a gruesome murder from 1974 – the very case that Amanda Wagner and Evelyn Mitchell investigated.

Will is horrified and confused by his uncle's apparent connection to such a violent crime. He starts his own unauthorised, covert investigation into the cold case, quickly realizing that the details in the file point to his uncle as a prime suspect. This shocking revelation forces Will to confront the painful secrets of his past and the legacy of a family he barely knew.

As Will delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web of lies, cover-ups, and betrayals that link the 1974 murder to powerful figures in the present-day Atlanta police force. He's forced to work against his own colleagues, and even his boss, Amanda Wagner, whose involvement in the original investigation raises disturbing questions. The narrative cleverly switches between the past and present, revealing how the choices made in 1974 continue to reverberate, ultimately exposing deep-seated corruption and shocking truths that irrevocably alter Will's understanding of his own history and the people he trusts. "Criminal" is a gripping story about hidden secrets, the enduring impact of the past, and the difficult pursuit of truth and justice.

Comments:
Another great book that follows on very well. Not much more to add.

Books that we've read by Karin Slaughter (18):
Blindsighted (Grant County, #1) (2001), Kisscut (Grant County, #2) (2002), A Faint Cold Fear (Grant County, #3) (2003), Indelible (Grant County, #4) (2004), Faithless (Grant County, #5) (2005), Triptych (Will Trent, #1) (2006), Skin Privilege (Grant County, #6) (2007), Fractured (Will Trent, #2) (2008), Genesis (Will Trent, #3) (2009), Broken (Will Trent, #4) (2010), Fallen (Will Trent, #5) (2011), Criminal (Will Trent, #6) (2012), Unseen (Will Trent, #7) (2013), The Kept Woman (Will Trent, #8) (2016), The Last Widow (Will Trent, #9) (2019), The Silent Wife (Will Trent, #10) (2020), After That Night (Will Trent, #11) (2023), This Is Why We Lied (Will Trent, #12) (2024)